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Banquet Speech

Ahmed Zewail's speech at the Nobel Banquet,
December 10, 1999

Your Majesties, Excellencies, Ladies and
Gentlemen,

Let me begin with a reflection on a personal story, that of a
voyage through time. The medal I received from his Majesty this
evening was designed by Erik Lindberg in 1902 to represent Nature
in the form of the Goddess Isis - or eesis - the Egyptian Goddess
of Motherhood. She emerges from the clouds, holding a cornucopia
in her arms and the veil which covers her cold and austere face
is held up by the Genius of Science1. Indeed, it is the genius of science
which pushed forward the race against time, from the beginning of
astronomical calendars six millennia ago in the land of Isis to
the femtosecond regime honored tonight for the ultimate
achievement in the microcosmos. I began life and education in the
same Land of Isis, Egypt, made the scientific unveiling in
America, and tonight, I receive this honor in Sweden, with a
Nobel Medal which takes me right back to the beginning. This
internationalization by the Genius of Science is precisely what
Mr. Nobel wished for more than a century ago.

In visionary words, Mr. Nobel summed up the
purpose of the Prize: "The conquests of scientific research and
its ever expanding field awake in us the hope that microbes - of
the soul as well as of the body - will gradually be exterminated
and that the only war humanity will wage in future will be war
against these microbes". Mr. Nobel saw clearly what he wished for
the world and the value of scientific discovery and advancement.
Although there exist in the world today some microbes of the
soul, such as discrimination and aggression, science was and
still is the core of progress for humanity and the continuity of
civilization. From the dawn of history, science has probed the
universe of unknowns, searching for the uniting laws of nature.
The world applauds your Majesties and the Swedish people for your
appreciation, recognition, and celebration of discoveries of the
unknown, which, according to Alfred Nobel will "leave the
greatest benefit to mankind". I know of no other country that
celebrates intellectual achievements with this class and
passion.

To the world, the Nobel Prize has become
the crowning honor for two reasons. For scientists, it recognizes
their untiring efforts which lead to new fields of discovery, and
places them in the annals of history with other notable
scientists. For Science, the Prize inspires the people of the
world about the importance and value of new discoveries, and in
so doing science becomes better appreciated and supported by the
public, and, hopefully, by governments. Both of these are noble
causes and we thank you. To me, there is a third cause as
well.

If the Nobel Prize had existed 6,000 years
ago, when Egypt's civilization began, or even 2,000 years ago,
when the famous library and university (museum) at Alexandria
were established, Egypt would have scored very highly in many
fields. In recent times, however, Egypt and the Arab World, which
gave to Science Ibn-Sina (Avicenna), Ibn-Rushd (Averroës),
Ibn-Hayan (Geber), Ibn-Haytham (Al Hazen), and others, have had
no Prizes in science or medicine. I sincerely hope that this
first one will inspire the young generations of developing
countries with the knowledge that it is possible to contribute to
world science and technology. As expressed eloquently in 1825 by
Sir Humphrey Davy: "Fortunately, science, like that nature to
which it belongs, is neither limited by time nor by space. It
belongs to the world, and is of no country and of no age." There
is a whole world outside the boundaries of the "West" and the
"North" and we can all help to make it the microbe-free world of
Mr. Nobel. I also hope that the Prize will help the region I came
from to focus on the advancement of science, the Science Society,
and on dignity and peace for humanity.

Your Majesties, I do not know how to
express my own personal feelings and those of my family about
this recognition. Behind this recognition, there exists a larger
community of femtoscientists all over the world who tonight
declare themselves proud. My own science family at Caltech of
close to 150 young scientists represents the true army that
marched to victory and made the contribution possible; they, too,
must be proud of their effort. Personally, I have been enriched
by my experiences in Egypt and America, and feel fortunate to
have been endowed with a true passion for knowledge. I am
grateful that this highest crowning honor comes at a young age
when I can, hopefully, enjoy and witness its impact on science
and humanity. The honor comes with great responsibilities and new
challenges for the future, and I do hope to be able to continue
the mission, recalling the thoughtful words of the great scholar,
Dr. Taha Hussein:

which can be paraphrased in the following
words: "The end will begin when seekers of knowledge become
satisfied with their own achievements."

Thank you, Your Majesties. Thank you, all
who are celebrating science and scientists.

1. The
inscription reads: Inventas vitam juvat excoluisse per
artes, loosely translated: "And they who bettered life on
earth by new found mastery" (literally stated, "inventions
enhance life which is beautified through art").